In Conversation with JJ Lee: The Art and Business of Memoir Editing

In this candid interview, JJ Lee guides us through the tricky waters of memoir editing. From the mentoring skills needed to do the job to identifying an author’s narrative springboard, JJ’s insights can help enhance any editor’s toolkit.

A black and white photo of JJ Lee
JJ Lee

WCE

Let us start. How do you approach storytelling and personal narratives in your work? And what drew you to the nonfiction genre?

JJ Lee

Oh, that’s a three-part question. What drew me to nonfiction is my background. When I was approached to start writing, I was already a radio journalist and had started participating in semi-experimental programs like Outfront at the CBC, where they were bringing in first-time broadcasters to do small 15-minute documentaries. I challenged a former Globetrotter, Mel Davis, to one-on-one basketball, then I did a documentary called “Typewriter Guy” and another one, “Sing Like Marvin.” That began my role of jumping in and doing things. 

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Editors BC Student Networking Event

What: Student networking event for Editors BC student affiliate members

When: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm PDT

Where: Online through Zoom

Cost: Free

Image credit: 123rf/monkographic

You’re invited to a 90-minute online networking event on Saturday, May 11, to meet other student affiliates, share your knowledge and successes, and learn from your peers.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Meghan Fandrich 

Editors BC is proud to spotlight our March volunteer, Meghan Fandrich. Our volunteer coordinator, Justin Chevrier, asked Meghan a few questions.

Image credit:  Shelanne Justice Photography

What is your dream vacation destination? Why?

If I could, even just for a day, I would go home: home to Lytton, to the vibrant little village that existed before the fire. I would walk down the tree-lined street with my daughter, who celebrated her sixth, seventh, and now eighth birthday on the edge of a burned-up town. We would visit my art café and the neighbour’s ice cream shop, look up at the mountains, and our hearts would fill up. I can’t imagine a better place.

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Editors BC General Meeting: New Guest Speaker and Presentation Topic

When: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 7:30–8:30 pm PDT

Where: Online through Zoom

Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, $10 for non-members, $5 for student non-members

Food and travel writing: A journalist’s story

Don Genova’s editing experience has ranged from being severely edited (his first-ever story for the Toronto Star) to editing student writing in his Food and Travel Writing course at UBC. Along the way, he’s trained new journalists in supervisory roles and judged many writing competitions for various food and travel writing organizations. 

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Being an Indigenous Writer: Expectations, Realities, and Opportunities

When: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 7:30–8:30 pm PDT

Where: Online through Zoom

Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, $10 for non-members, $5 for student non-members

While Jenn Ashton has always been a writer, only for the past decade has she considered herself an Indigenous writer, a label borne of perspective and opportunity and shaped by perception and expectation. While being an Indigenous writer felt stifling at first, Jenn has discovered the extraordinary benefits of Two-Eyed Seeing (one eye seeing two perspectives, Western and Indigenous). She will share the realities and opportunities available to Indigenous writers everywhere.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Michelle Hardy 

Editors BC is proud to spotlight our February volunteer, Michelle Hardy. Michelle volunteers as a Blue Pencil editor. In this interview, Justin Chevrier, Editors BC’s volunteer coordinator, asks Michelle about her proudest editing moment, her favourite punctuation mark, and more.

Michelle smiling, wearing a black shirt.
Michelle Hardy 

What or who makes you laugh out loud?

Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek. I love her confidence and style, her syntax and vocabulary.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Cookies. 

What is your dream vacation destination? Why?

Italy. I look forward to exploring Italian food, art, architecture, and coastline and listening to the language. 

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Editors BC General Meeting: Learn More About the 2024 Editors Canada Conference in Vancouver

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 7:30–8:30 pm PDT

Where: ​​Online through Zoom

Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, $10 for non-members, $5 for student non-members

This month, you’re invited to a sneak preview of the upcoming 2024 Editors Canada conference (Vancouver, June 21 to 23). In this informal meeting, local conference organizers will share ideas and updates about an exciting range of conference activities. Members giving presentations or workshops may also share brief overviews, hinting at the range of topics and depth of discussion this conference will cover. 

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Announcement: Writers for Readers

On March 13, 2024, the Richmond Public Library will host Writers for Readers. The program is a half-day writers festival from 2–7 pm and will take place at the Brighouse Library. 

Writers for Readers will showcase authors living in Richmond and feature talks from three bestselling BC authors: Iona Whishaw (Lane Winslow mystery series), Eve Lazarus (Murder by Milkshake, Cold Case BC), and Nick Marino (East Side Story: Growing Up at the PNE). Our featured speakers will give a one-hour talk about their writing, with a question-and-answer session at the end.

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